Pet photography is a terrific way to bring in income and it can also work in fine art capacities. But when it comes to getting the Shot you want from your pet, well, they’re even worse than children. With no way to really communicate with them, you never know what you’ll get.

There’s no way to make sure your pet pictures will be perfect, but there are things you can do to increase your success rate. Here are a few suggestions.

Get Action Shots

Your pet will move around a lot so it’s best to go with action shots from the get-go. To get good motion shots, you’ll want to set your camera to TV or S (shutter priority). You’ll also want to set the focus mode so it’s continuously focusing.

If you hold the shutter button down while your camera is continuously focusing, it will take multiple shots in succession ensuring you will get some you are happy with.

Aim for the Eyes

If you do manage to get a still shot of your pet, you’ll want to aim for the eyes. These will get you the most expressive shots. You’ll want to use a standard or zoom lens and turn the mode dial to AV (Aperture Priority). Use spot metering and avoid Flash that may create red eye.

Then select a wide aperture. This will create a blurred background that really puts the focus on the pet’s face. A neutral background will work best.

Get on Their Level

Getting on the floor with your pet will give you a better perspective and it will get them into a playful mood. When on the floor, you won’t be able to use a tripod, so it’s important to keep your hands steady while shooting.

If you want to add the blurred effect, choose a shallow depth of field (f 2.8 to f/8). Use a fast shutter speed to capture movement. Speeds of 1/400 or more are ideal, especially if you are outdoors.

Avoid Flash

We already talked about avoiding the use of flash because it creates red eye, but that’s not the only reason you’ll want to do without it. Flash can also scare pets and it can make their fur look washed out.

If your animal is in a metal cage or glass tank flash will leave an unsightly white mark in the photo.

If the area is too dark without the flash, try opening the aperture to let more light in.

Recommended Lenses

A telephoto lens is recommended if you are taking pictures of your pet from a distance. One with I.S. (image stabilization) is especially effective.

Standard lenses like 50mm f/1.8 or f/2.8 will also get some good shots because they work well in low light conditions without a flash.

Pet photography is versatile and it can even bring in some extra cash. The tips in this article will help you get great pics of pets no matter what type of images you are looking to capture. What strategies do you use when you’re doing a shoot with your furry and not so furry companions?

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